Paraffin solvent



Patented Apr. 29, 1943 PABAEFIN SOLVENT William H. Ellinger, Smith, N.Mex.

No Drawing. Application April 25, 1941, Serial No. 390,426

Claims.

The present invention relates to a composition of matter and method forremoving paraffin, and more particularly for removing paraffin from thetubing of an oil well or gas well. 7

It is an object of this invention, to provide a combination of water,kerosene, and bentonite,

which may be applied to the well tubing to aid in the removal ofparailin.

It i another object of this invention, to provide a particular method ofinserting said composition into the tubing to cause the removal of theparaflin.

In the past, various parafiin'solvents have been used such as kerosene,and other hydrocarbon derivatives. The use of kerosene in associationwith'spent fullers earth has been suggested for a nonaqueous drilling,fluid in which the earth performs a weighting action to preventblowouts. Also, the use of a water and a heavy oil emulsion with abentonite clay to increase the viscosity of the emulsion is taught inthe patented art. However, these last two types of material are used ina manner not suggestive of this invention nor could they coact with theparaffin to accomplish Water Qallnne 25 Bentonite pound 1 Kerosene rquart 1 The bentonite and kerosene are thoroughly mixed by agitation andthe water is added in the well.

In the preferred method of using the mixtur of this invention,approximately 10 gallons of water which has been heated to 212 F. isforced into the tubing and then a mixture of /2 pound of bentonite and 1pint of kerosene is forcedinto the tubing. These steps are repeated, andthus an additional 10 gallons of hot water and another /2 pound ofbentonite and 1 pint of kerosene are placed in the tubing. The remaining5 gallons of water may then be forced into the well and the mixture'ispermitted to remain in the tubing for approximately thirty minutes.

.The total amount of the material to be used in one well will of coursebe determined by the amount of paraffin to be removed. However, the

'above named proportions should be followed in the preferred form ofpracticing the invention.

The hot water and kerosene both act-upon the paraiiln to soften the sameand put it in a condition whereby it will more readily intermix with thebentonite. It has been found that the paraiiln so conditioned willcombine with the ac? tive bentonite clay to form a particularly slickresultant mixture a portion of which coats the walls of the tubing andenables the paraiiin to be more readily removed. By "slick" is meant theproperty of the bentonite in acting upon the paramn to change it from ahard congealed mass to a removable condition which may be described assomewhat similar to the condition of ice cream which clings to thepaddle of the home freezer or a cake batter, whereby the oily reactionproduct of bentonite and paraffin as distinguished from a solution has asuiiicient body-like character that it can be removed completely becauseofits imparted stability. After the bentonite has been thoroughlyintermixed with the paraflin such as will result from the thirty minuteperiod suggested above, the mixture is removed from the well by thepressure from within.

While it is most desirable that the preferred method of applying theherein disclosed paraffin removing composition be followed, it ispossible that variations therein may be made to obtain certain of thenew results of the present invention. The kerosene and bentonite alonecould be used to soften the paramn and intermix therewith to provide theslick lubricating mixture which permits the paraiiln to be more easilyremoved. Further, the heating step. which aids in making the paraflinmore readily available for intermixture with the kerosene and bentonite.could be used, omitting the kerosene. But each of these changes wouldnecessitate a longer period of association between the paraffin and thebentonite and are not therefore as useful as the preferred example ofthe invention.

Variations in the quantities of the suggested ingredients may be made,but it has been found that the above proportions are most suitable. Ifinsumcient bentonite is used, the lubricating qualities of the resultingparaflin mixture are not as good as with the preferred quantity namedabove, thus the paraflin cannot be so easily removed. It has been foundthat approximately 1 quart of kerosene to 1 pound of bentonite providesthe proper softening of the paraffin to enable the bentonite to mostefliciently intermix with the 2. The method in accordance with claim 1m, wherein the paraflin is softened with kerosene. The quantity of wateris not particularly oriti- 3. The method in accordance with claim 1 cal,but an excess should be provided to suiwherein th paraflin is softenedwith. hot water. nciently heat the paramn and to provide a liquid 5 4.The method in accordance with claim 1 phase for more readily eii'ectinga mixture 01' the wherein the paraflin is softened with kerosene otheringredients with the paramn. and hot water. h

, Iclaim: 5. The method in accordance with claim 1 1. The methodoi'removing 'paraflin from a wherein the mixing of the bentonite withthe tubing wall comprising softening the paraflin and 10 paraflin takesplace while the paramn is in sofsubjecting the same to contact vwithhentonite', tened condition.- permitting the bentonite to mix with theparamn, WILLIAM H. EILINGER. and thereafter removing the mixture fromthe tubing.

